grandma’s smile fades

into smoke

between the living room walls

waff in past people reverb

and exhale combustion

as she might be

prophecy or proclamation

in the dark swirl of vapor

illusion grip

and the only real wind to

laugh or pass

on through shiver

in bend ghost

all make believe

attached to muscle twitch

or she might be biting down

against cough through you

as cloud twists

back forward

into the shape

of whatever it is

you see there

tonight in

shadow dance

Jordan Boyd is a writer, musician and educator living in Oakland, California.  Jordan published the poetry collection, shadow burn, with Nomadic Press in 2020.  Jordan released the solo music album, yes yes yes yes yes, 2025.  

Authors Notes: In the exhalation swirl of smoke we see a woman's face.  Looking back on combustion and release.  She is here with us still in night wind forever gone